Browns vs Colts Odds: Quarterback Injuries Creating Uncertainty
Could Be Battle of Backup QBs in Week 7?
The Cleveland Browns and Indianpolis Colts are both dealing with injuries to their starting quarterbacks. That should create plenty of uncertainty when the teams square off Sunday (1 p.m. ET) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Cleveland is a 3-point favorite (-110) and -160 on the moneyline, while Indianapolis is +3 on the spread and +140 to pull off the slight upset. The projected total, meanwhile, is 41 (-110 Over, -110 Under).
Who has the edge? Read on as we break down both NFL teams and dive into the Browns vs Colts odds in our NFL game preview.
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts 
Day/Time:
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis
Streaming: CBS
Betting Trends
The Cleveland Browns are 3-2 against the spread this season. Notably, the Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against Indianapolis. The total has gone Under in nine of the Browns‘ last 12 games. Conversely, the Indianapolis Colts are 3-3 ATS this year and 4-8 over their last 12 games. The total has gone Over in nine of the Colts’ last 12 games. That’s important to remember when assessing the Browns vs Colts odds.
Watson’s Status Uncertain
Will Deshaun Watson play? The Browns are reportedly optimistic about Watson’s chances of returning to action after missing their Week 6 victory over San Francisco with a shoulder injury. If Watson can’t go, the Browns will likely turn to veteran PJ Walker for a second consecutive week on the NFL season schedule.
Walker threw for 192 yards and was intercepted twice by San Francisco, but the Browns (9.5-point underdogs) survived 19-17 after Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field goal in the final seconds. The Browns improved to 3-2 in the NFL standings and also covered the spread for the second time in three weeks.
Despite Watson’s absence, the Browns are +250 to win the AFC North and -155 to make the playoffs.
Cleveland’s defense has been elite under Jim Schwartz, ranking first in the NFL in fewest yards allowed (200.4 per game) and fifth in fewest points allowed (15.4 per game). Four of the Browns’ first five opponents have scored under 20 points.
Defensive end Myles Garrett remains a game-wrecker for Cleveland, with 5.5 sacks on the season. Garrett’s had 16 sacks each of the last two seasons. The former No. 1 overall pick is currently priced +350 to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, trailing only Dallas’ Micah Parsons (+175) and Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt (+275).So long as he stays healthy, Cleveland should remain firmly in contention. The Browns have already shown impressive resolve in the wake of injuries. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Browns vs Colts odds.
Richardson Down and Out
Rookie first-rounder Anthony Richardson is expected to miss the rest of the season following shoulder surgery, a devastating blow to Indianapolis’ faint playoff hopes. The Colts are now 3-3 after losing 37-20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
With Richardson down, Gardner Minshew will take over as the Colts’ full-time quarterback. Against Jacksonville, Minshew passed for 329 yards and a touchdown but was also intercepted three times. The Colts, a 4-point underdog, fell behind 21-3 in the second quarter and failed to cover the spread for the second time in three weeks.
The Colts are now the biggest longshot in the AFC South, with +700 odds. They’re also just +275 to make the NFL playoffs.
The Colts’ run game has been strong thanks to the emergence of Zack Moss. Moss is second in the NFL with 466 rushing yards, establishing himself as a viable, low-priced alternative to Jonathan Taylor. The pressure’s now on Minshew, a five-year NFL veteran, to help elevate the rest of the Colts’ offense. Minshew is one of the better backups in the NFL, having thrown for 47 touchdowns compared to only 18 interceptions over 38 career NFL games.
Notably, Indianapolis needs to go only 4-7 the rest of the way to eclipse its projected regular-season win total of 6.5. Because of that, Shane Steichen is now +2500 for NFL Coach of the Year.
Handicapping the Game
Cleveland proved last week it can withstand Watson’s injury for the time being. Its defense is good enough to keep it in games, so long as Walker or whoever else is at quarterback protects the football.
Although Minshew is a capable backup, asking him to beat Cleveland is a tall order. If the Browns play to their capabilities, they should have no trouble outlasting Indianapolis on the road. Consider taking the Browns up to -3 on the NFL point spread.
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